Morning journal and courier., 1887-05-09
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS.

Rev. NAT. Bray Reviews Somewhat H1s Years I'm the Sacred Omce-An I'm terestIng Occasion at Humphrey Street Church-A Pleasant Retro- spect.
 At the Humphrey street Congregational | church yesterday morning there was large attendance of people who were present to hear Rev. MT. Bray, the pastor, tell of his first nineteen years work in the ministry before he was connected with the Humphrey street church. MT. Bray kept his hearers intently interested throughout by his ex- cellent description of his experiences during that time.
 In the evening the church was again filled. The pastor was to tell of his six years con- nection with the Humphrey street church. He told of the first year of his pastorate when he stood in the old chapel and preached the plainest of sermons.
 In looking back over these six years the first thing that comes to my mind is that I have stayed so long with you that can name some pastors who started out the same time l did and who did not stay three years with their churches. I came here with 8 deter mination to stay as long as I could. It is blessing to administer to your own children in the Lord. Again and again have left paCk OH one hundred and fifty converts and giving them into the hands of stranger.
 It is as much of a compliment to you as it is to me that I have stayed with you so long. Many pastors at the end of 8 year have not been successful, but made failure. Whya Because he was the pastor of a divided church. How can a man be successful to be pastor of divided congregationa What has he but short pastorate? I have not shun- n ba of ord and you have not failed to receive it. You have supported me throughout. We have work ed together.
 It is 8 pleasure to contemplate the nursery of the church, which the Sunday school may we'll be called. When I first came here the school occupied but one room. Now it oc- cupies the whole body of the church, beside the regular Sunday school room, and it also occupies the chapel, the choir's gallery and every vacant place in the building except the cellar. It IS as hothouse to farm-the place where things are started. It is the feeder of the church. I fail to see nothing of success for 8 church with Sunday school back of 1t. l have received letter from one of the editors of the Sunday School Times asking the secret of the great growth of our school. The secret is hard work.
 In looking over the history of the church for six years I find there have been 135 accessions by profession of faith and 70 by letter. Of the 135 who joined on profession of faith I can truthfully say that with hardly an exception they all continue members. In some churches at great reyivals there may be 500 who have been joined, but afterward 450 of these are missing. had rather see 50 join and stay than to have so many and have but few of them left. As I said before our accessions are not great in numbers for these six years, but nearly every one has staid.
 But there are other battles to be fought. There is no time to sit down and think ot the past. As we stand here the things of six years come to mind. How clean they are. A number of the church have passed away. I don't know how long I will stand here with you. But I do not intend to stay any longer than my usefulness will let me. I have spent ten years in New Haven. I have no tears to shed because I came here. To look back on the six years the church has grown and the Sunday school marvelously so. Brethren and friends, let us get an in- spiration from the past and purpose for the future. It is blessing to be allowed to do service for the Lord. The mistakes of my lite have been many, yours have been many. Let the grace of God cover them. Let us stand face to face to God. ''Lo, am with you always, even unto the end of the earth.''